Desert Hotels With Stunning Sand Dune Views – Hidden in the Arabian desert is Qasr Al Sarab, a place where sand dunes are skyscrapers, camels lead the way, and breathtaking sunsets light up the sky.
There are very few hotels in the world that I would consider a destination for myself. However, Qasr Al Sarab, located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, rightly deserves a very high place on my list. The destination, the architecture, the surroundings, everything lives up to the hype and gives you that once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Desert Hotels With Stunning Sand Dune Views
Hidden in the middle of one of the largest deserts in the world, Qasr al Sarab reminds me of the glamorous mirage you see in an Arabian fairy tale. The entire area of the Liwa Desert seems to have a golden glow, and the contrast between the sand dunes and the blue sky is simply breathtaking. As if constantly on cue, the camels pass by, leaving footprints in the perfectly smooth sand and the gentle wind causes the dunes to take on new shapes and forms. It is where Emirati heritage has embraced ancient desert culture and for the next few nights we would be calling this fairytale home.
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You know you’re close when the 1-meter sand dunes reach over 40 meters. A quick turn and the scene became so dramatic, we just had to get out of the car to get a better look. It was as if an ocean of sand surrounded us as far as we could see, and not another person was in sight. Grinning casually, our driver told us that we were now on a private road that would take us further into the desert and to the property, which was only 10 minutes away. As if the pictures don’t tell you enough, trust me when I say that a two hour car ride has never been so much fun.
Due to the resort’s remote location, the nearest airports would be in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. So, after our trip to Abu Dhabi, we arranged a car transfer to take us to the resort, which was halfway to Dubai. You can expect the drive to be around two hours (regardless of whether you’re coming from Dubai or Abu Dhabi) and remote. We’d pass other cars a few times, but mostly you’ll be driving through completely remote areas.
When you first approach the property and overcome the grandeur of it all, the architecture and design begin to come into focus. The aesthetic is meant to echo the surroundings and the result is a modern desert fortress full of little treasures. The palette is mostly natural with soft shades of beige and taupe, mixed with artefacts collected from the surrounding area. The design is carried over to the rooms, where everything reflects a comfortable atmosphere, but with classic luxury touches.
Guests can choose (for a fee, of course) between one of the deluxe-style rooms, a spacious suite or a private palace-style villa. For our stay we were in a deluxe terrace room, which was beautifully appointed with a large room and a large private terrace, overlooking the pool and the sand dunes. Our room was very comfortable and the perfect amount of space for us. Although our neighbors were quite close, the layout made everything feel very private and we never heard anyone else. Next time I think we’ll book one of the pool villas…you just can’t beat a private pool!
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Before we came I knew I wanted to do two things – ride a camel and go batine so we made sure to book early so we were guaranteed a spot. Most activities only have a few other people, so don’t worry, they won’t be saturated with kids or overzealous tourists.
If you’re not into vigorous activities like dune bashing, you can always kick off your shoes and walk the sand dunes to watch the sunset. At first I was hesitant to climb the dunes (they really are incredibly high), but after a little persuasion from Chris, we made it and I’m so glad we did! The climb wasn’t difficult at all and if you go around sunset the breeze is lovely when you get to the top!
We decided to go camel riding during sunset so we could take photos with the sunset in the background… and let’s be honest, we’re not really morning people. With only 4 people, we set off through the dunes in a 4×4 to a more remote part of the desert where a group of camels was waiting for us. After what seemed like hours of driving around and trying to get the best pictures, we all rested on the dunes to watch the sunset with tea and cookies.
As if constantly on cue, the camels pass by, leaving footprints in the perfectly smooth sand and the gentle wind causes the dunes to take on new shapes and forms. It is a place where Emirati heritage embraced the ancient desert culture…
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The morning we left we decided to do a sunrise session on the dunes…big mistake! At least for me anyway, since I got really bad nausea. To be fair, hitting the dunes was an adrenaline rush, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, be sure to take some motion sickness pills! Alone in our 4×4 with our driver leading the way, we descended some of the highest sand dunes and I swear we went completely sideways. It was really fun and the unobstructed views of the sunrise were priceless!
Alone in our 4×4 with our driver leading the way, we descended some of the highest sand dunes and I swear we were completely sideways going down…
Kasr al Sarab is part of the Anantara collection and if you are familiar with the group, you know their spas are usually amazing and this one did not disappoint! Located in a separate building from the hotel and near the pool, the spa was the perfect place for us to relax after a day of climbing the dunes. We indulged in a classic couples massage, where we were pampered and massaged to complete bliss.
I was amazed at the exceptional standards of the spa and the knowledge our therapists had. After visiting many of the world’s leading spas around the world, I can say without a doubt that this was one of the best massages ever!
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Being in the middle of the desert means you have to rely on the hotel to feed you… and that usually makes me a bit restless. I love options! However, at Qasr Al Sarab they have 5 different restaurants ranging from Moroccan to Mediterranean to Arabic and Western, all with an equally inviting ambiance. Meals are not included in your stay and can be a bit pricey, but the food is great and so are the options!
Be sure to book one of your evenings at Al Falaj. Every evening, the dune space is transformed into an elegant open-air Bedouin camp, and the food is a delicious mix of Arabic dishes. The menu is set and includes a cold meze tasting, your choice of grill and wine is included!
Qasr al Sarab is not easy to get to, so I recommend stopping at this resort if you’re going to be in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, as it’s about a two-hour drive from both cities. If you want to celebrate a special occasion like honeymoon, anniversary or birthday, you will definitely get a romantic and comfortable experience. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a unique family holiday or have youngsters, there’s plenty to do to keep the kids entertained. Between the pool, the spa and the amazing adventures, there will be something for everyone to do.
It may have been the novelty of being somewhere so remote and picturesque, but these memories remain some of the best. Qasr al Sarab is much more than a hotel. It is an experience that will take you on a journey through the beauty and culture of one of the most remote areas in the world.
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Book your stay at Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort Click now to see today’s lowest price and book now. Posted by VA Contents Jasper Architects designs hotel inspired by sand dunes in Kuwait Kuwait Architecture News – 06 August 2021 – 08:05 11436 views
Buenos Aires and Berlin-based Jasper Architects has won a design competition to design a hotel located in Kuwait, a mostly desert country of 4.2 million people.
Called DUNAS, the hotel has a curved flower-shaped roof with a large hole that allows trees to pass through.
Under the roof, private suites, ranging in size from 554-600 square meters, will look out over a mesmerizing view of the desert.
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The architects were inspired by the elements of the natural sandy landscape and the textures, shapes, colors and soft curvilinear geometries of the dunes.
The concept proposes an impressive oasis to arrive and observe the desert from within, building on Jasper Architects’ previous experience
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